Private Utilities Sustain Lower Power Rates Across Western Visayas And Negros Island

In a welcome trend for electricity consumers in Western Visayas and Negros Island, private distribution utilities continue to outperform electric cooperatives in maintaining more affordable power rates. Spearheaded by private firms backed by strategic leadership and forward-thinking energy practices, these utilities are delivering tangible savings to thousands of households.

At the forefront of this shift are MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) in Iloilo City and Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) in Central Negros. Both entities have demonstrated that efficient energy sourcing and transparent utility management can lead to consistently lower electricity bills.

Competitive Rates in the Region

As of May 2025, MORE Power continues to offer the lowest residential electricity rate in Panay and Guimaras at Php 11.13 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This rate is significantly lower than those posted by neighboring electric cooperatives:

• ILECO I: Php 12.53/kWh
• ILECO II: Php 12.25/kWh
• ILECO III: Php 11.27/kWh
• AKELCO (Aklan): Php 12.74/kWh
• ANTECO (Antique): Php 12.82/kWh
• CAPELCO (Capiz): Php 12.78/kWh
• GUIMELCO (Guimaras): Php 12.69/kWh

In Negros Island, Negros Power — a partnership between Primelectric Holdings, Inc. and CENECO — has also maintained a strong pricing advantage. Since assuming operations in November 2024, the utility has kept its rates well below the regional average. For May 2025, it posted a residential rate of Php 11.69/kWh, in contrast with nearby cooperatives:

• NONECO: Php 13.28/kWh
• NOCECO: Php 12.02/kWh
• NORECO I: Php 12.18/kWh
• NORECO II: Php 11.71/kWh

Strategic Power Sourcing Behind Lower Rates

Industry leaders attribute the sustained low rates of these private utilities to proactive procurement strategies and efficient energy market participation. Atty. Richard Nethercott, President and CEO of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), highlights that electricity prices depend largely on the quality and cost-efficiency of a utility’s power supply portfolio.

“Utilities that actively monitor market trends and secure supply contracts through competitive and transparent processes are better positioned to provide affordable rates to consumers,” Nethercott explained.

This approach is evident in the operations of both MORE Power and Negros Power. According to President and CEO Roel Castro, the utilities follow a disciplined procurement strategy that includes participation in the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) and real-time tracking of electricity prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

With 60-65% of a residential power bill stemming from generation charges, securing reasonably priced generation supply contracts becomes essential. Castro emphasized that their long-term strategy focuses on price stability and consumer savings, without sacrificing reliability or service quality.

Moving Toward Efficient, Consumer-Focused Utility Management

The success of MORE Power and Negros Power illustrates how professional utility governance, market awareness, and responsible sourcing can positively impact electricity consumers. Their experience reinforces the benefits of moving toward privatized, performance-driven power distribution, especially in regions where high electricity costs continue to burden families.

As households look for ways to manage monthly expenses, these developments offer a hopeful outlook — showing that it is indeed possible to achieve reliable power delivery at lower, more sustainable rates.